- a political theory advocating the principles of government analyzed in Machiavelli’s The Prince, in which political expediency is placed above morality, and craft and deceit are used to maintain the authority and carry out the policies of a ruler: In this and other countries, Machiavellianism currently dominates foreign policy.
- behavior characterized by subtle or unscrupulous cunning, deception, expediency, or dishonesty:The dark side of social intelligence includes the impulsive, thrill-seeking, callous behavior of psychopaths and the deceitful and exploitative nature of Machiavellianism.
